Cricket

Glamorgan's valiant pursuit of a world-record run chase ended in a thrilling tie against Gloucestershire in a captivating Vitality County Championship Second Division match at Cheltenham.Set a daunting target of 593, Glamorgan's hopes rested on skipper Sam Northeast and overseas star Marnus Labuschagne. The pair forged a 153-run partnership, with Northeast reaching his century and Labuschagne falling just short of his.Despite the loss of Labuschagne, Glamorgan remained determined. Chris Cooke and Northeast extended the partnership, with Northeast reaching his 150 and setting a new record for the highest fourth innings score in English first-class cricket.As the tension mounted, Gloucestershire's bowlers fought back. Matt Taylor dismissed Northeast, and Ajeet Singh Dale removed Tim van der Gugten. With 32 runs still needed, Mason Crane and Tom Gorvin came together.Gorvin departed, but Crane remained resolute. He dominated the strike, scampering a single off the penultimate ball to leave last man Jamie McIlroy needing just one run to win. However, McIlroy edged Singh Dale's final delivery to wicketkeeper James Bracey, who took his tenth catch of the match.The tie earned both sides 11 points, with Glamorgan setting the highest fourth innings score in any first-class game played in England and the third highest worldwide. The match also marked the first tied game in English county cricket in six years.

James Anderson, England's legendary fast bowler, made a resounding return to the County Championship, claiming a remarkable seven-wicket haul in his first appearance of the summer. Lancashire seized control against Nottinghamshire at Southport, enforcing the follow-on after dismissing their opponents for a paltry 126 in reply to their first innings total of 353 for nine declared.Anderson's devastating spell of 7 for 35 included an opening burst of 6 for 19 in ten overs, dismantling Nottinghamshire's top and middle order. His pinpoint accuracy and relentless line and length proved too much for the Notts batters, who were skittled out in just 36.3 overs.Nottinghamshire's second innings fared little better, with Nathan Lyon claiming his 800th first-class wicket to dismiss Ben Slater for 17. Lyon also broke a determined partnership between Haseeb Hameed and Will Young, having the Notts captain caught behind for 41.Lancashire's dominance was further underlined by Tom Bailey's two wickets in two balls, removing Calvin Harrison and Olly Stone. Despite a spirited 42-run partnership between Slater and Dane Paterson, the last pair was separated by a direct hit from Lyon, leaving Slater stranded on 64 not out.With Lancashire enforcing the follow-on, Nottinghamshire faced an uphill battle to avoid an innings defeat. Young and Joe Clarke showed resilience, negotiating their way through to the close with 11 runs each. However, the visitors will need to display similar determination on the final day to prevent a comprehensive loss.Anderson's performance was a timely reminder of his enduring class ahead of his farewell Test at Lord's next week. His ability to consistently hit the perfect line and length, even after a prolonged absence from competitive cricket, is a testament to his exceptional skill and unwavering dedication.

Gloucestershire's Miles Hammond and Cameron Bancroft showcased their batting prowess on the second day of the Vitality County Championship Division Two match against Glamorgan at the Cheltenham Festival. After being dismissed for 179 in their first innings, Gloucestershire found themselves trailing by 18 runs. However, Hammond and Bancroft's brilliant centuries turned the tide in their favor.Hammond, a Cheltenham native, played an enterprising innings, reaching his half-century off just 53 balls. He continued to flourish, hitting three sixes and 17 fours in his 121-run knock. Bancroft, the Australian opener, provided solid support, scoring an unbeaten 159 from 221 balls. The duo put on a mammoth 201-run partnership for the third wicket, silencing Glamorgan's hopes.James Bracey joined the party, contributing an unbeaten 90 off 117 balls. Together with Bancroft, he added 170 runs for the fourth wicket, extending Gloucestershire's lead to a commanding 370 runs.Earlier in the day, Glamorgan resumed on 133 for 7, trailing by 46 runs. Mason Crane played a crucial role, scoring a defiant 44 to help his team take the lead. However, Beau Webster's impressive bowling figures of 5 for 17, including four maidens, ended Glamorgan's innings on 197.Gloucestershire's bowlers, led by Webster and Marchant de Lange (3 for 44), put in a strong performance, dismissing Glamorgan for a modest total.With two days remaining in the match, Gloucestershire is in a dominant position. Hammond and Bancroft's centuries have put them in a strong position to secure a victory and boost their hopes of promotion to Division One.

Ajinkya Rahane Signs with Leicestershire for County SeasonIndian batter Ajinkya Rahane has signed a deal to play for Leicestershire in the second half of the county season. The 36-year-old will be available for the club's One-Day Cup campaign and five County Championship matches.Rahane had initially agreed to join Leicestershire last summer but was recalled to India's Test team for the World Test Championship final. He subsequently toured the West Indies with the Test squad and did not play for the county in 2023."We are thrilled to welcome someone of Ajinkya's quality to Leicestershire," said Claude Henderson, the club's director of cricket. "It was unfortunate that his schedule didn't work out last year, but it's a massive boost to have him for the business end of this season."Rahane has a wealth of experience, having played 82 Tests, 90 ODIs, and 20 T20Is for India. He has scored over 13,000 runs in first-class cricket, including 41 centuries, and another 6,475 runs in List A matches.His arrival in mid-July will coincide with the expected departure of South African allrounder Wiaan Mulder for international duty. Rahane is expected to strengthen Leicestershire's defense of the One-Day Cup, which they won last September."I'm really excited to have another opportunity to come to Leicestershire," said Rahane. "I've built a strong rapport with Claude and Alfonso [Thomas, head coach], and I'm looking forward to playing for the club this summer."Rahane's signing is a significant boost for Leicestershire, who are currently third in Division Two of the County Championship. His experience and leadership qualities will be invaluable to the team, and his batting prowess will provide a much-needed boost to their lineup.

Essex and Durham played out a thrilling draw in the Vitality County Championship, with Dean Elgar's masterful century and Tom Westley's resolute support securing a hard-fought result for the visitors.Essex, trailing by 248 runs overnight, faced a daunting task on the final day. However, Elgar and Westley displayed unwavering determination, batting for the entire day to deny Durham any chance of victory.Elgar, the former South African international, reached his 50th first-class century in a marathon innings that lasted 165 runs, 421 balls, and 276 minutes. His partnership with Westley, who scored 63 not out, was a testament to their patience and resilience.Durham's bowlers toiled tirelessly but were unable to break through Essex's defensive wall. The hosts needed 405 runs to win, but their strategy was to secure a draw and maintain their position in the championship standings.The match was not without its moments of tension. Durham's slow clapping of the bowlers drew the ire of the crowd, and an appeal for a bump ball against Elgar sparked a heated exchange between spectators and fielders.Despite the occasional flare-up, Elgar and Westley remained unperturbed. They reached lunch with just 54 runs scored, but their partnership grew steadily throughout the afternoon. Elgar's century came in 170 balls, and Westley reached his half-century in 198 balls.As the clock ticked down, Essex's second innings reached a total of 208 for 2, with 400 dot balls delivered. The draw leaves Essex 12 points behind leaders Surrey, while Durham remains in contention for a top-four finish.Elgar's century was a testament to his experience and class. The 37-year-old has now scored 50 first-class centuries for various teams around the world, including 14 Test tons for South Africa.

Sussex emerged victorious in a thrilling encounter against Leicestershire at Hove, securing an 18-run victory despite a record-breaking performance from Leicestershire's Louis Kimber.Kimber, batting at number eight, produced an astonishing innings, scoring 243 runs off just 127 balls. His innings included 20 fours and 21 sixes, breaking Ben Stokes' Championship record of 17 sixes set in 2022. Kimber's onslaught included a remarkable 43-run over off England seamer Ollie Robinson, the highest number of runs scored in an over in the County Championship since 1998.Despite Kimber's heroics, Sussex's bowlers managed to restrict Leicestershire to 445 in their second innings, with Chris Coles and Jack Carson claiming three wickets each. Sussex had earlier declared their second innings on 296 for 6, with Tom Alsop scoring an unbeaten 81 and Jack Hunt contributing 65.Kimber's innings was a testament to his power and timing, as he cut, pulled, and drove the Sussex attack with ease. He offered a difficult chance on 17 to Alsop at slip, but the ball burst through his hands. Carson nearly held on to a ball struck with ferocious power over deep mid-wicket, but otherwise, Sussex's bowlers had little answer to Kimber's onslaught.Kimber's record-breaking innings was met with warm congratulations from both Sussex and Leicestershire players, as well as a standing ovation from the crowd. It was the third time in three years that a Leicestershire batter had scored a double hundred in this fixture.Despite Kimber's heroics, Sussex held on for a narrow victory, strengthening their position at the top of the second division. The match showcased the thrilling nature of the County Championship, with both teams producing memorable performances.

Ollie Robinson Concedes Record-Breaking 43 Runs in an Over in County ChampionshipOllie Robinson, the England fast bowler, etched his name into the history books on Wednesday when he conceded an astonishing 43 runs in a single over during a County Championship match between Sussex and Leicestershire.The incident occurred in the 59th over of Leicestershire's second innings, with the visitors chasing a daunting target of 464 runs. Louis Kimber, Leicestershire's number eight batter, was at the crease and had already reached his half-century.Robinson's over was a nightmare from the start. Kimber smashed two sixes and six boundaries, while Robinson overstepped three times, resulting in a two-run penalty for each no ball. The nine-ball over proved to be the most expensive in the 134-year history of the County Championship.Kimber reached his century with a boundary off Robinson's final delivery. Even when Robinson changed his angle by coming around the wicket, the batter remained unstoppable.Kimber's record-breaking innings came just two days after Shoaib Bashir had conceded 38 runs in an over during a county match between Surrey and Worcestershire. However, Robinson's feat has now eclipsed Bashir's record.Remarkably, Kimber was not even at the crease when the day's play began. He went into lunch unbeaten on 191 off just 92 deliveries, with Leicestershire requiring another 89 runs to secure victory.Robinson's record-breaking over is a testament to the unpredictable nature of cricket. Even the best bowlers can have off days, and when they do, the consequences can be severe.

Nottinghamshire's second-innings resilience has put Somerset's hopes of a third Vitality County Championship win of the season in jeopardy. After Somerset posted a formidable 470 in their first innings, thanks to Tom Abell's 111 and Migael Pretorius' unbeaten 95, Nottinghamshire responded with a solid 360.In their second innings, Nottinghamshire openers Haseeb Hameed and Ben Slater put on a commanding 172-run partnership, with Hameed falling just nine runs short of a century. Slater remained unbeaten on 70, while nightwatchman Olly Stone provided support.Somerset's bowlers struggled to make inroads, with only Craig Overton breaking through to dismiss Hameed. Dillon Pennington's five-wicket haul in the first innings proved to be his only success in the second, while Calvin Harrison's 39 overs yielded three wickets.Pretorius' aggressive 95 in the first innings had given Somerset a 110-run lead, but Nottinghamshire's second-innings performance has put them in a strong position. With 177 runs on the board for the loss of just one wicket, Nottinghamshire need only draw the match to secure a share of the points.Somerset, on the other hand, face an uphill battle to force a result. They will need to bowl Nottinghamshire out for a second time on a pitch that is becoming increasingly docile. The lack of wickets in the final session of day three suggests that Somerset's task will be a difficult one.

Warwickshire's hopes of securing their first County Championship victory of the season hang in the balance after Hampshire piled on the pressure on day three at Edgbaston.James Vince and Liam Dawson plundered centuries to propel Hampshire to a formidable 453 for 6 declared, setting Warwickshire a daunting target of 498. The home side reached 40 for 1 at the close, leaving both teams with a chance of victory on the final day.Vince, who has been in prolific form this season, notched his 29th first-class century with an unbeaten 166 off 197 balls. Dawson, not to be outdone, contributed a resolute 120 (157 balls) as the pair forged a mammoth 255-run partnership for the sixth wicket.Hampshire's pragmatic approach, prioritizing steady accumulation over aggression, may have backfired. The pitch, which has been increasingly favorable for batters, could make it challenging for their bowlers to force a victory.Warwickshire's bowlers toiled valiantly but were unable to make significant inroads into Hampshire's batting lineup. Olly Hannon-Dalby claimed three wickets, while Danny Briggs and Jake Bethell picked up one each.The home side's hopes of chasing down the target were dealt a blow when Kyle Abbott trapped Alex Davies lbw in the ninth over of their innings. However, with favorable batting conditions expected on the final day, Warwickshire will fancy their chances of saving the match.